Find a Mesothelioma Cancer Center Near You
Selecting a comprehensive cancer center specializing in diagnosing, treating, and researching mesothelioma is important. Patients today can choose from several top cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma located all over the country.
With the world’s most experienced mesothelioma doctors, surgeons, and radiologists on staff, these facilities can provide the best patient care. Top mesothelioma cancer centers also have dedicated research initiatives to test the latest methods for treating this rare cancer and helping patients live longer.
Try our Free Doctor Match program today to get help connecting with specialists at leading cancer centers who can treat you or a loved one.
Top Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Centers
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma. Numerous mesothelioma treatment centers nationwide focus on this type of cancer.
Along with having leading pleural mesothelioma doctors on staff, these cancer centers have dedicated tumor boards, extensive treatment programs, and in-house research, technology, and clinical trial teams.
Here are some of the country’s top pleural mesothelioma treatment centers.
Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute
Houston, TX
Dr. R. Taylor Ripley
- Has a robust clinical trials program testing emerging therapies
- Home to the Mesothelioma Treatment Center (MTC) founded by the late Dr. David Sugarbaker
Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH)
Boston, MA
Dr. Raphael Bueno
- Birthplace of the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)
- Home of the International Mesothelioma Program, one of the most comprehensive mesothelioma research programs in the world
Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler
- Home to ongoing clinical trials for novel vaccine therapies
- Receives major funding for mesothelioma treatment research
Dr. Anne Tsao
- Leading mesothelioma research facility studying targeted therapies
- Provides tailored treatment plans focused on improving prognosis and maintaining the quality of life
Speak with our trusted Patient Advocates to find the best cancer treatment centers near you.
Top Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Centers
Peritoneal mesothelioma is not as common as pleural mesothelioma. However, treatment advances have helped patients live longer.
Treatment has improved because top mesothelioma cancer centers are finding better ways to fight this deadly disease.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, FL
Dr. Jacques Fontaine
- Home to the Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Center
- Tailors treatment approaches to each patient using the expertise of a multidisciplinary team
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. James Pingpank
- Home to the Mesothelioma Specialty Care program
- Participates in the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB), an online database of past mesothelioma patients’ blood, tissue, and DNA samples
Washington Cancer Institute
Washington, DC
- Home of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancies program dedicated to treating rare abdominal cancers
- Offers specialized treatment plans for peritoneal mesothelioma patients
Top Mesothelioma Cancer Centers for Veterans
Through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans with mesothelioma can be treated at any of the nation’s VA mesothelioma cancer centers.
“Mesothelioma is so complex, and its care so specialized, that a patient really needs the best care in the world.”
— Dr. Avi Lebenthal, Founder of the Boston VA’s Mesothelioma Program
Many veterans opt to visit cancer treatment centers that are part of the VA’s Veterans Health Administration. Doctors in the VA health care system sympathize with the unique struggles facing veterans and their families. Additionally, VA mesothelioma cancer treatment centers can help veterans learn what VA benefits they may be eligible for.
Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston, TX
Dr. R. Taylor Ripley
- Affiliated with the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston
- Only VA hospital that offers treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma
VA Boston Healthcare System
Boston, MA
Dr. Daniel Wiener
- Associated with Harvard Medical School
- Serves veterans from across the country
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Robert Cameron
- Largest VA hospital in the nation
- Treats pleural mesothelioma using the lung-saving pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) surgery
Why Seek Treatment at Mesothelioma Cancer Centers?
For mesothelioma patients, the type and level of care they receive can be the difference between life and death. Mesothelioma is rare, with only 3,000 new cases annually in the U.S. Because of this, it’s important to have a specialist who knows how to properly treat this cancer.
Below, learn why patients and their families are strongly encouraged to get treated at one of the nation’s mesothelioma cancer treatment centers.
Confirm a Diagnosis
Mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose. Not only is it rare, but mesothelioma cancer cells can also be easily mistaken for other types of cancer cells when being looked at under a microscope. This can lead to a mesothelioma misdiagnosis, which can put a patient on an incorrect treatment plan that allows their cancer to spread.
Much is involved in diagnosing mesothelioma. Each factor determines which treatment option has the highest chance of success with the least side effects. Specialists at mesothelioma cancer centers are best equipped to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis based on a patient’s medical background and history of asbestos exposure.
Receive Specialized, Life-Extending Care
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with an average life expectancy of 12-21 months. Choosing a multidisciplinary approach at a designated mesothelioma cancer center gives patients the best chance of potentially extending survival.
Mesothelioma treatment is the best way to extend a patient’s life. Once a patient has received an accurate diagnosis, the lead oncologist works with their multidisciplinary team to create the best possible mesothelioma care plan.
Cancer center teams provide lifesaving treatments that range from radiation therapy and immunotherapy to chemotherapy and aggressive, tumor-removing surgeries. More than one treatment is often combined in a multimodal approach to improve a patient’s mesothelioma prognosis and extend their life expectancy.
Working with a care team that includes several experts across different specialties gives mesothelioma patients the best shot at survival. Top treatment facilities have tumor boards made up of pathologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and registered nurses. These boards meets regularly to review individual cancer cases and develop an optimal treatment plan for each patient.
Even for patients in the later stages of the disease, palliative (pain-relieving) treatments performed by mesothelioma specialists can ease symptoms and significantly improve their quality of life.
Benefit From the Latest Therapies
Currently, the latest research in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is underway at many mesothelioma cancer centers across the United States.
Mesothelioma patients who visit these specialized cancer treatment centers can benefit from cutting-edge treatments, including access to the latest chemotherapy drugs, immunotherapies, photodynamic techniques, and gene therapies.
Many of these therapies are tested through clinical trials at specialized mesothelioma cancer centers. Because these centers typically have dedicated funding, they can more quickly translate their mesothelioma research discoveries into tangible patient benefits.
Our Patient Advocates are standing by to help match you with a mesothelioma doctor with access to the latest therapies.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Mesothelioma Cancer Centers
While any of the top mesothelioma cancer centers listed above are an excellent choice, other factors might help you decide which treatment facility is right for you.
Keep this checklist handy when researching mesothelioma cancer centers:
- Ability to Travel: Can you travel for treatment?
- Clinical Trials: What clinical trials are offered at each mesothelioma cancer treatment center, and which clinical trial might help you?
- Experience: How much experience does the oncology specialist have with the surgery or treatment you need?
- Finances: How will treatment costs differ from one center to the other? Be sure to consider factors like travel and lodging expenses.
- Insurance: What does your plan cover, and does it differ by location?
- Location: Are any cancer treatment centers close to you (within driving distance)?
- Surgical Options: What types of surgeries are offered at each mesothelioma cancer treatment center?
- VA Services: Are there VA cancer centers nearby that specialize in treating veterans with mesothelioma?
- Support Services: Does the treatment center offer counseling, nutritional guidance, support groups, and other services for patients and their families?
Further, each of the mesothelioma cancer centers has its unique philosophy toward care. Some cancer treatment centers believe in administering the most aggressive forms of treatment, for example, while others take a more conservative approach.
Choosing a mesothelioma cancer center is a personal decision, but some general criteria can help patients narrow down their options. Below, learn about the top things to consider when deciding between mesothelioma cancer treatment centers.
Mesothelioma Specialization
It’s vital that whichever cancer center you choose has a solid background in treating your exact type of mesothelioma. This not only includes where the cancer is located, but also the mesothelioma cell type and stage.
Some mesothelioma cancer centers specialize in pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Therefore, it’s important to factor this in before deciding on a cancer center. Additionally, some specialists choose not to treat late-stage mesothelioma, while for others, it has become their focus.
Location
Where the cancer center is located is another major consideration. Travel costs can add up quickly and put an extra burden on mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.
Many patients can’t travel far due to health or financial reasons and prefer visiting centers as close to home as possible. Other patients can travel to another state or even across the country to visit a mesothelioma cancer center.
Travel may be necessary if a patient lives in a remote region of the country. Fortunately, some cancer treatment centers offer temporary housing to mesothelioma patients and their loved ones for free or reduced rates.
The ideal mesothelioma cancer center is within reasonable travel distance and offers the appropriate cancer care for your specific type of mesothelioma.
Insurance and Expected Costs
Most mesothelioma cancer centers will try accommodating their patients’ unique financial situations.
If you have insurance, contact an administrator at each cancer center to see what your health insurance covers and what you might expect to pay out of pocket before moving ahead with treatment.
You should ask how insurance claims will be processed for your treatment and confirm any other important details, such as how to access your medical records.
If you do not have insurance coverage, some mesothelioma cancer centers will enroll patients in clinical trials that cover treatment costs.
Access to Cutting-Edge Treatment Options
A crucial consideration for all mesothelioma patients is whether a cancer center offers potentially life-extending treatments specific to mesothelioma. This could include gene therapy, robotic surgery, and/or immunotherapy.
For example, a patient might check to see if a mesothelioma cancer center has any ongoing clinical trials they can participate in. New therapies tested in clinical trials at top cancer treatment centers have meant the difference between a few months and a few years for some patients with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma patients deserve the absolute best treatment and must ensure their chosen center can provide it.
Our Patient Advocates have decades of experience helping connect people with top treatment mesothelioma cancer centers and are ready to help you make this important decision. You can get in touch with them right now.
Our trusted advocates with 65+ years combined experience are ready to assist you.
Get Specialized Treatment at Top Mesothelioma Cancer Centers
Mesothelioma patients require swift and specialized medical intervention that addresses their unique diagnosis.
Cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma offer:
- Access to in-house research initiatives and clinical trials for the latest therapies
- Experience treating specific types and stages of mesothelioma
- Full-service, personalized treatment from diagnosis to follow-up
The Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma Hope can help you find the best mesothelioma cancer center for your diagnosis. Get matched with the top cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma today.
Mesothelioma Cancer Center FAQs
What is the best hospital for mesothelioma?
There are several top mesothelioma hospitals located throughout the country.
Some of the best mesothelioma treatment centers include:
- University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (pleural mesothelioma)
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston (pleural mesothelioma)
- Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa (peritoneal mesothelioma)
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (peritoneal mesothelioma)
When researching mesothelioma cancer centers, it may help to look for hospitals with National Center Institute (NCI) designation. This means the facility has met the high standards for research focused on developing state-of-the-art approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancers like mesothelioma.
There are currently 71 NCI-accredited cancer centers across 36 states, including the four mesothelioma cancer centers listed above.
Why is it important to find a cancer center that specializes in mesothelioma?
In the United States, only a few thousand mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year, and this cancer can be deadly if untreated. Therefore, it’s best to find a cancer center where the doctors on staff are experts in treating mesothelioma.
In addition to top surgeons and oncologists, a specialized mesothelioma cancer center usually has support staff like social workers, dieticians, faith-based leaders, and counselors. A solid medical team can make the treatment experience more comfortable for patients and their families.
How do I find a doctor who specializes in mesothelioma?
If you need help finding a mesothelioma doctor, call our team at (866) 608-8933. Our Patient Advocates can pair you with the best mesothelioma doctors for your case.
According to the National Cancer Institute, “finding a doctor and a treatment facility for your cancer care is an important step to getting the best treatment possible.”
The right mesothelioma doctor for you should be well-versed in the latest surgeries, therapies, and treatment options to fight this disease.
Another good option is to see if any local cancer treatment centers and doctors specialize in treating your type and stage of mesothelioma.
Are there any new treatments for mesothelioma?
Yes. In October 2020, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of two immune checkpoint inhibitors, Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab), to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma patients whose cancer cannot be removed by surgery.
This was the first drug regimen approved for mesothelioma in 16 years and the second FDA-approved systemic therapy for mesothelioma.
New immunotherapies continue to be tested through clinical trials at mesothelioma cancer centers, along with other emerging treatments like epigenetic therapy, which alters the expression of genes in histones to eliminate cancer cells, as well as preventative mesothelioma vaccines.
